This subpart applies to each vessel to which this part applies, except:

(a) Vessels used for noncommercial use; and

(b) Vessels leased, rented, or chartered to another for the latter's noncommercial use.

As used in this subpart:

(a) Approval series means the first six digits of a number assigned by the Coast Guard to approved equipment. Where approval is based on a subpart of subchapter Q of this chapter, the approval series corresponds to the number of the subpart. A listing of current and formerly approved equipment and materials may be found on the Internet at: http://cgmix.uscg.mil/equipment. Each OCMI may be contacted for information concerning approved equipment.

(b) Approved means approved under subchapter Q of this chapter.

(c) Use means operate, navigate, or employ.

(a) No person may operate a vessel to which this subpart applies unless it meets the requirements of this subpart.

(b) (1) Each vessel not carrying passengers for hire and less than 40 feet in length must have on board at least one wearable personal flotation device (PFD) approved under subchapter Q of this chapter, and of a suitable size for each person on board.

(2) Each vessel carrying passengers for hire, and each vessel not carrying passengers for hire and 40 feet in length or longer, must have at least one PFD approved under approval series 160.055, 160.155, or 160.176, and of a suitable size for each person on board.

(3) In addition to the equipment required by paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section, each vessel 26 feet in length or longer, except for a barge to which this subpart applies, must have at least one approved lifebuoy, and each uninspected passenger vessel of at least 100 gross tons must have at least three approved lifebuoys. Lifebuoys must be approved under approval series 160.050 or 160.150, except that a lifebuoy approved under former 46 CFR 160.009 prior to May 9, 1979 (see 46 CFR chapter I, revised as of October 1, 1979), may be used as long as it is in good and serviceable condition.

(c)(1) Each vessel not carrying passengers for hire may substitute an immersion suit approved under 46 CFR 160.171 for a wearable PFD required under paragraphs (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section.

(2) On each vessel, regardless of length and regardless of whether carrying passengers for hire, an approved commercial hybrid PFD approved under approval series 160.077, may be substituted for a PFD approved under approval series 160.055, 160.155, or 160.176, if it is—

(i) Used in accordance with the conditions marked on the PFD and in the owner's manual; and

(ii) Labeled for use on commercial vessels.

The lifesaving equipment required by this subpart must be legibly marked as specified in subchapter Q of this chapter.

(a) The lifesaving equipment designed to be worn required in § 25.25-5(b) and (c) must be readily accessible.

(b) Lifesaving equipment designed to be thrown required in § 25.25-5(b) must be immediately available.

(c) For a barge to which this subpart applies, the wearable lifesaving equipment specified in § 25.25-5 need not be stored on board the barge if the barge's operator stores it elsewhere, and ensures that each individual dons the equipment or a work vest approved under 46 CFR 160.053 before boarding the barge and keeps it on for as long as the individual remains on board and at risk of falling overboard.

The lifesaving equipment required by this subpart must be in serviceable condition.

(a) This section applies to vessels described in § 25.25-1 that engage in ocean, coastwise, or Great Lakes voyages.

(b) Each immersion suit carried in accordance with § 25.25-5(e), each life preserver, each marine buoyant device intended to be worn, and each buoyant vest must have a personal flotation device light that is approved under subpart 161.012 of this chapter.

(c) Each personal flotation device light required by this section must be securely attached to the front shoulder area of the immersion suit, life preserver, or other personal flotation device.

(d) If a personal flotation device light has a non-replaceable power source, the light must be replaced on or before the expiration date of the power source. If the light has a replaceable power source, the power source must be replaced on or before its expiration date and the light must be replaced when it is no longer serviceable.

(a) Each life preserver, each marine buoyant device intended to be worn, and each buoyant vest carried on a vessel must have Type I retroreflective material that is approved under subpart 164.018 of this chapter.

(b) Each item required to have retroreflective material must have at least 200 sq. cm (31 sq. in.) of material attached to its front side, at least 200 sq. cm of material on its back side, and, if the item is reversible, at least 200 sq. cm of material on each of its reversible sides. The material attached on each side of the item must be divided equally between the upper quadrants of the side, and the material in each quadrant must be attached as closely as possible to the shoulder area of the item.

(a) Each uninspected passenger vessel of at least 100 gross tons must have adequate survival craft with enough capacity for all persons aboard and must meet one of the following requirements:

(1) An inflatable liferaft must be approved under 46 CFR part 160, subparts 160.051 or 160.151, and be equipped with an applicable equipment pack or be approved by another standard specified by the Commandant. Inflatable liferafts must be serviced at a servicing facility approved under 46 CFR part 160, subpart 160.151.

(2) An inflatable buoyant apparatus must be approved under 46 CFR part 160, subpart 160.010 or under another standard specified by the Commandant. An inflatable buoyant apparatus must be serviced at a servicing facility approved under 46 CFR part 160, subpart 160.151.

(b) If the vessel carries a small boat or boats, the capacity of the small boat or boat(s) may be counted toward the survival craft capacity required by this part. Such small boat or boat(s) must meet the requirements for safe loading and floatation in 33 CFR part 183.

Each uninspected passenger vessel must meet the visual distress signal requirements of 33 CFR part 175 applicable to the vessel.